Coenobita purpureus


Coenobita purpureus, known generally as the Okinawan blueberry hermit crab or blueberry hermit crab, is a species of land hermit crab in the family Coenobitidae. They are typically a blue/purple color with white eyestalks, a red antennae, and a brown antennae. They also have gastropod shells.

Distribution and habitat

They typically inhabit and are endemic only along the mainland, oceanic, and continental island coasts of Japan. They are considered to have a very narrow distribution within this northwestern pacific region. Coenobita purpureus deliver their larvae in the summer, which they then disperse to Ogasawara Islands.